Wednesday, 3 April 2013

Facing My Fears of Cooking with Yeast

I will admit to anyone, I have a fear of baking anything that requires the use of yeast. I haven't had much success. Either something turns out flat, or spills over the edge of the pan. I've made more homemade hockey pucks than I care to admit.

While surfing the Internet last week I ran across a recipe that looked so good, and so easy that it made me willing to face my greatest fear. Thanks to Mormon Mavens I'm able to report back to all of you, that I have succeeded. The recipe, originally belonging to their grandmother, is a winner and a keeper. Sometimes I find myself just pulling up the photo I took, and smiling. Accomplishment feels good.

If you've got a fear of yeast recipes too, I encourage you to try this recipe, and be sure to check the Mormon Mavens website out. There's more than enough great recipes to keep you busy for weeks in your kitchen!

Butterfly Crescent Rolls

Ingredients

1 cup of boiling water

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 egg

1 tbsp of yeast

4 cups of flour (divided in half)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

Directions

*the original recipe calls for the use of a mixer but I used good old arm strong power, and mixed and kneaded everything by hand.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together hot water, sugar, and butter until the butter is completely melted. When the mixture has cooled enough, but is still warm to the touch add the eggs and yeast and mix well. (be sure the temperature is warm and not hot or your dough will not rise)

Add half of the flour and mix completely.

Add the remaining flour, incorporating the flour until it is completely mixed in. I did this with my hands. I then kneaded the dough in the bowl by hand, with a 1/4 turn of my bowl with each fold. The end result was a light and soft, non-sticky dough.

Place it in a greased bowl and cover with a towel. Place in a warm area of your kitchen where there are no drafts. Let it double in size.Punch the dough down, and then separate into 2 halves.

Roll out each half into a pizza shaped circle, about 1/2 inch in thickness. I cut mine into 12 wedges each, but you could cut them larger if preferred. I wanted small dinner roll sized buns.

Roll up each wedge, from the large end to the point and place point side down on a prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rise again.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes until the rolls are a wonderful golden brown color.